Debenhams building in Swindon could be transformed as new plans revealed

Plans have been drawn up for a state-of-the-art storage hub which would fill the basement and lower three floors of the building on The Parade with 900 lockers.

The site's current owners Meadow Partners and inner city self-storage operator StoreAway have submitted a joint planning application to find a new use for the 200,000sq ft space.

For decades, it was a popular retail destination, built in the 1960s and occupied by Bon Marche before Debenhams stepped in - but the site has been empty since December 2020.

If the plans are approved, work on the landmark's revamp would begin next spring and retain the retail element of the ground floor frontage.

The acquisition would be part of a drive to transform more than a quarter of a million square feet of redundant retail space on the country's high streets into storage space.

StroreAway's joint managing director Richard Lanyon said: “We really want to make this building a part of our nationwide strategy, especially at such an important time in the town’s regeneration.

"The store is situated in an extremely important location, linking Kimmerfields to the town centre, and is adjacent to the new bus boulevard and opposite a recently agreed 400 apartment housing development.

“StoreAway looks exclusively at large redundant office and retail spaces in the hope of bringing them back into use sustainably, while providing a necessary service to the public, often within walking distance of its customers.

"We know that our offering would be of particular benefit to the community and businesses alike. It’s an idea inclusive of all demographics, from those moving house and needing a place for their furniture, companies requiring extra stockroom space or individuals on the lookout for a place to store their clutter.”

The brand’s founders are the country’s only independent team of self-storage managers, as well as two experienced executives from the world of commercial property investment.

StoreAway opened its flagship store in Liverpool in May and has confirmed more sites in Birmingham, Basildon, Cheltenham and Bath.

StoreAway's flagship facility in Liverpool

Managing director Christian Yates added: “Town and city centre self-storage is a distinct convenience for city dwellers and city centre businesses, providing flexible storage space that can be easily accessed on foot with the majority of our client base normally within 10-15 mins from the store.

"This will directly support those living in the local residential development nearby.

“The flexible space aspect will be attractive to local businesses and tradespeople especially start-ups who are not in a position to commit to long term leases and who need flexible, convenient space to store samples, stock, records, files and equipment. For retailers in particular, inner city self-storage is also increasingly forming part of the ‘last mile’ logistics distribution process.”

StoreAway users can use a smartphone app to book a space, arrange a drop-in time or visit their designated locker 24 hours a day, with shared access for friends and family.